Star Wars fans (like me) will get a vague sense of deja vu when they see this flying sphere in action. Weighing in at about 12
ounces (350 g), the 16-inch (42 mm) diameter flying ball can launch and
return vertically, maintain a stationary hover and zip along at up to 37
mph (60 km/h). Coupled with the ball camera we reported on earlier this month, it could become a valuable
reconnaissance platform. Who knows? In time, more advanced autonomous
versions might actually be used to train would-be Jedi knights. Once
again, life imitates art.

Announced last summer by the Technical Research and Development
Institute at Japan's Ministry of Defense (JMD) and recently unveiled at Digital Content Expo 2011,
the world's first spherical air vehicle will likely be deployed in
search and rescue operations deemed unsuitable for traditional aircraft.
As for other possible uses, the sky just may be the limit.